Thursday, April 11, 2013Stark Board of Elections evaluates voting machines after roof collapseThe elections board was pondering a move to a bigger and more modern space even before a deluge of rain water collected on the flat roof Wednesday nightby WKSU's TIM RUDELL

ReporterTim Rudell

Slideshow: Board of Elections workers sort through records moved to a staging area near the 4th street entrance to the building

Early voting for the May primary is underway, though spring construction in downtown Canton has made getting to the Stark County Board of Elections offices tough. And shortly after closing time Wednesday, public accceess went from tough to virtually impossible. WKSU’s Tim Rudell reports.

The combination of a downpour and a clogged drain was too much for the flat roof of the back part of Stark County’s Board of Elections building on 3rd Street NE in Canton. About 500 square feet of it gave way under the weight of pooling storm water with nowhere to go.

The board’s nearly 1,300 electronic voting machines weren’t stored directly beneath the collapse. But, Director Jeff Matthews says equipment throughout the building will be evaluated piece-by-piece for signs of damage from moisture and humidity.

Address: 201 3rd St NE # 1, Canton, OH 44702

Phone:(330) 451-8683

Machines for May already set asideBecause the roof collapse took out climate control for now, the voting machines for use in the upcoming election have been moved to another building where they will be in controlled storage even as they get the once-over.

Meantime, Board offices are operating and can still be reached via the internet or phone.